Each startup must express interest by completing the short application form. Relevant companies will be invited to an informational session to learn about the program, meet the 5G Program partners and ask questions. A detailed application will be required for startups to provide information about their company, 5G integration goals and technical requirements. The first round of selections will take place in early July (the choice will be made based on the information and documentation provided by each candidate). Selected first round participants will receive an email inviting them to the final interview via a video call.

The jury will include members of the Verizon and Centech teams and an external expert evaluator from Bell Canada.

This 3-month program is an individual startup coaching program focused on technological compliance validation and new business model development. All participants will have access to technical resources for testing and tech expert assistance (on request). Participants will also have three group meetings (one per month), and weekly check-in meetings with a business coach selected by the Centech team. You will need 1-2 hours per week to achieve your objectives, which will be established in partnership with the Centech team at the beginning of the program. During the testing phase, participant participation may be more intense (from 5 to 14 days, depending on test progress and metrics).

The 5G Development Hub, located in Montreal, Quebec, is part of the Centech incubator campus. The testing will take place on Bell’s 5G network with Mobile Edge Compute at Centech. In addition to the onsite testing period (5 to 14 days), there will also be individual and group meetings during the program when online attendance is possible. Senior leadership and product specialists must be physically present in Montreal during the Innovation Showcase in mid-November in order to present solutions and progress.

Canada has a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem with exciting emerging technologies. Verizon sees an extraordinary opportunity to encourage this diverse market of entrepreneurs to leverage the capabilities of 5G and edge computing to help create the products and ecosystems of the future. The goal of working with Centech is to create a unique space for startups in industries that are ripe for disruption.

By participating in the program, the companies are not required to give away any rights to their IP. All test work done during the program will be covered by an NDA between Centech, Verizon, Bell and the participant.

This program is 100% equity-free. Participants do not have to pay any fee to be part of the program. Some traveling expenses for participant companies outside Montreal will be covered by Centech and the program partners

Testing is a critical component of our program. We’ll verify the compatibility between your solution/product, your needs and the available 5G infrastructure provided by Bell Canada before the beginning of the program, to ensure that all tests can be completed between September and November 2022.

Participants will be required to execute a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement that contains key terms and conditions governing any potential disclosure of confidential, proprietary and sensitive information in connection with participating in the 5G Program.